Multifaceted 2018 Honda Civic Type R
The do-it-all CTR that stacks street miles and nabs lap records.
The thin, often blurred line that separates street cars from full-fledged track cars is a slippery slope, and one that this 2018 Civic Type R seems to have settled comfortable upon. Its owner, Mary Valdez, made a calculated approach to the build - a process that's slowly and steadily continued to enhance her FK8's track ability while simultaneously allowing her skills behind the wheel to improve.
Pulling Double Duty
When most people think of a dedicated track car, they conjure up thoughts of a high-powered, stripped down chassis that gulps race fuel and is all but intolerable on the street. The truth is, depending on your outlook, something as simple as a full bolt-on affair and stiff enough suspension can end your car's daily workhorse duties. For Mary, her car remains street-friendly and fiercely competitive and, sans the decorated livery, would blend right in with any other modified CTR on the street.
A lifelong Honda enthusiast, it was no surprise when Mary found her way to this Type R. "I purchased my Civic Type R in 2018 and had no idea what I wanted to do with it, I just knew I wanted the first Civic Type R to come to the North American Market. I drove it to work and back occasionally, and on Sundays for a few months - keeping it bone stock." You already knew that some sort of modification was mandatory and for Mary, it started with a set of TE37, Swift springs and a simple shift knob. Nothing too serious, but the new additions would serve as a gateway of sorts as she embarked on her very first track day. "It was something I'd always wanted to do but never felt I had the right car to do it with. It was an eye-opening experience, but I was definitely hooked."
Acquiring Instruments from Acuity
The winter months would put a halt to her street and track endeavors and while the car was in hibernation, she began researching more parts online, which led her to Acuity Instruments, a brand we've worked with on multiple occasions, including our Project 10th gen. Si."When I discovered the amazing parts catalog Acuity Instruments had developed for the car, I ordered their adjustable short shifter and ESCO T6 Shift Knob, and very shortly thereafter, added the rest of the catalog to my car, including the Throttle Pedal Spacer, which has been a game changer for me."
More from Acuity Instruments:
RSX & Kswap adjustable performance shifter
Refine & Develop
The positive changes made to the car, along with the long winter break resulted in Mary using it as her daily driver, stacking miles quickly with her 145-mile round trip each day. Due to her desire to maintain its reliability and street-friendly nature, she avoided any major power upgrades, but she increased her track days significantly, almost weekly, and continued her development behind the wheel. Her parts collection kept building as well, at one point arming the car with Mugen, Varis, and Voltex parts while swapping out multiple sets of TEs. "I was so addicted to driving it that I bought a set of Gram Lights with snow tires and drove it through many brutal NY snowstorms during the winter of 2019-2020."
The days spent on track weren't just about having a good time, but also focused sessions that saw Mary working with professional coaches to help her and the Type R continue improvement. An effort that paid off in October of last year when she captured the Overall FWD lap record at New York Safety Track. "One thing I'm especially proud of - throughout all the abuse on track and many miles of commuting, the car remained fantastically reliable in every aspect." To drive that point home, with over 70K on the clock, the only thing Mary has needed to replace, other than tires and brake pads, are the front calipers.
